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Day: 19 February 2015

Manchester medical students learn from “Instagram for Doctors”

Written by Patrick Anyadi on . Posted in News, Science & Tech.

A Canadian doctor has created an app, dubbed as an ‘Instagram for Doctors’, which is helping Manchester medical students with their studies.

The creator of “Figure 1”, Dr. Joshua Landy, is a critical care specialist at the Scarborough Hospital in Toronto. Along with his co-founders Gregory Levey and Richard Penner, his goal was to create a “network where healthcare professionals could share images and create discussions.”

The idea for the app came in 2012 after Dr. Landy spent time as a visiting scholar at Stanford University. He studied how medical students and doctors were using their smartphones and found that image sharing for the purposes of education was commonplace. However, these images were shared without protecting patients’ privacy or indexing them in a meaningful way, despite their tremendous potential.

The aim of the resulting app is to change the status quo of “having an image sink down to the bottom of your inbox”.

Following numerous fundraising efforts, Figure 1 was launched in 2013. The app currently has over 150,000 users and has continued to grow rapidly since its inception. So far it has been launched in 38 different countries. 30% of U.S. medical students now use it and within the University of Manchester, Figure 1 is beginning to make waves.

For second year medical student Kajen Suresparan, Figure 1 has helped him learn more about the brain, “Figure 1 has allowed me to explore my interest in neurosurgery in greater depth. It’s amazing to be able to scroll through CT scans on my mobile phone”.

Figure 1 allows users to upload images of rare and/or textbook cases of illnesses and share them with medical professionals and students from around the world. Verified users can interact with each other via the comments section and there is also the option to ‘follow’ images of interest or other users, much like any other social network. This enables students and younger healthcare professionals to learn from the expertise of those who are more experienced.

One of the concerns raised by students about the app was regarding the confidentiality of images, which is a core principle of good medical practice.

However, in an interview with The Mancunion, Dr. Landy outlined in great detail the built-in tools that allow users to crop and edit their images, acknowledging just how important this issue is.

Specialised face blocking software automatically removes the pixels from images that could identify a patient from their face. Also, images are evaluated by analysts before they are authorised for publication in the app.

Although the current focus for Figure 1 is education and information dissemination, the app shows great potential as a diagnostic tool. It can allow doctors to crowdsource for complex or uncommon diagnoses and it will be exciting to see how the app develops in future.

For students with the desire to innovate in the medical field, Dr. Landy first advises “to stay in school kids. Think about a problem that you and the other people in your field face. If you’ve got an idea and you’re dedicated to solving that problem you will find success.”

Figure 1 is free to download on the App Store or Google Play.

Sports luxe: An introduction

Written by Nikki Patel on . Posted in Uncategorised.

Sports Luxe: An Introduction

Some inspiration to add a sporty edge to your Spring/Summer wardrobe.

As the Autumn/Winter 2015 Runway shows take place across the fashion capitals of the world, it is time to draw our attention back to the here and now – Spring/Summer 2015. The classic themes of summer bohemian and nautical were present in many a catwalk show, but so too was the recent favourite Sports Luxe. It is a trend that has been growing for a few seasons but SS/15 witnessed the sport luxe trend takes on classic shapes with a modern edge.

Alexander Wang showcased a multitude of sports inspired pieces in his SS/15 runway show, including neon scuba dresses, heeled trainers and sports mesh fabrics interlaced with sleek tailoring. At Topshop Unique they styled the models in scuba dresses and retro inspired cycling jumpers with flippy skirts, hot pants or trousers. Proving that the sport trend can be worn with anything; androgynous or feminine, day or night – this is an easy trend for everyone.

On the DKNY runway sports mesh fabrics breathed a youthful edge into fifties inspired midi dresses, crop tops and midi skirts, with bomber jackets and flatform trainers amping up the athletic edge of the entire show. Akris also utilised the sporting accessory, with models strutting down the runway wearing visors in an array of colours.

Potentially as students the sporting accessory may be one of the easiest routes into the Sport Luxe trend. Trainers have become frequent visitors to the catwalk over the last few seasons; the practical, comfortable shoe has been used as an alternative to the high heel and has become a favourite with street style stars. Across the high street there are various interpretations of the new fashion trainer at affordable prices: Zara has a flatform style similar to that shown on the DKNY catwalk, while River Island has most styles of trainer all at more affordable prices than their designer inspiration.

Review: Hawaiian Shirts in the Electric Chair, by Scott Laudati

Written by Jack Ashworth on . Posted in Books.

In Hawaiian shirts in the Electric Chair Scott Laudati embodies the malaise of his generation. Desperately searching for purpose in a world engulfed by fear and disengagement, Laudati’s narrator—a character one can only assume to be entirely autobiographical—stumbles between fleeting one night stands (I Liked Her So I Never Should Have Talked To Her Again), doomed love affairs (Stony Hill) and suburban anxiety (Can We Live Like This?). The archetypal dissatisfied post-adolescent so prevalent in 20th century literature, his narrator bears resemblances to Salinger’s Holden Caulfield and Plath’s Esther Greenwood, all similarly dealing with lethargy and neurosis in the urban sprawl of New York.

Laudati focuses primarily on imagery and expression, and he does not rely on a great deal of literary technique—all usage of rhyme, metre, and rhythm is subtle and sparse. This does not negate the work in anyway but only accentuates the conversational and simplistic style exercised. Although lacking the mysticism and spirituality of other poetic greats such as Ginsberg, Laudati does seem to possess a beat-esque quality that can be interpreted as both hopeless and hopeful at the same time. In We Need The Bomb, he speaks of the threat of nuclear warfare, highlighting the cultural fear it entails but also adding a subversive eroticism to it:
“for the andromedans,
and the reptilians,
watching
from the moon-
it’ll probably
look like
the earth
going
blind
with helpless orgasm”

Laudati’s choice of language remains simple throughout—and it is exactly this simplicity that gives this work its universality. Rather than relying on linguistic ambiguity and technical jargon, the use of colloquial language gives the work a much more concentrated resonance. His lowercasing of ‘I’ which is present throughout attains a Cummings-esque effect, perhaps in homage.

Laudati channels a plethora of emotions as he navigates through the suburban jungle of New York. In A Garden East Of Eden, his words are tinged with retrospect and longing:
“if i could do it all over again
there’s not much i would do the same
i would say i love you a lot more
to a lot less people
i would only find brick walls on black and white streets
to kiss against”

There is also an appeal to more carnal desires; lust, greed, desire. In The Things Men Say On Their Way To Work we are greeted by a seemingly middle aged man, who recounts tales of illicit encounters with numerous women, expressing his longing for his youth.

Intensely readable and relatable, Hawaiian Shirts… manages to reach out to anyone who has felt disengaged and apathetic, and his work is tinged with hope. Despite being set in a given geographical area, the poems have a universal resonance not exclusive to New York. Beautifully executed, this work is indicative of a promising and prolific career for Scott Laudati.

Untitled Short Story, by Moira James-Moore

Written by Moira James-Moore on . Posted in Books.

You blindly place your feet past the curb on the pavement, wandering carelessly out on to the road, “Act first, think later!” being your poorly thought out motto. The moment when you realise your stupidity hits you; a small compact car appears to be gaining in momentum as it rapidly travels towards you, complete panic. A stage of acceptance follows and you comprehend the possible variations of events, one of which involves getting hit, surrendering to the inevitable. Then, safety! In a purposeful rush your feet magically manage to pass the car as you reach the sanctuary of the familiar pavement.

Looking back, it took that insignificant near death experience to place the series of bizarre events into context, I wish to point out that at the beginning of this particular scenario I had been heavily shaken up and had not quite reached complete sanity in time, as the minute I had stepped to safety a peculiar man came thundering towards me with great speed. He was wearing an ill-fitting, dishevelled coat that came down to his knees matched with the unusual combination of an extravagant scarf that covered most of his frame. As soon as he reached me, he grabbed me by the collar of my shirt and dragged me through a particularly grubby and narrow alleyway. There was a small moment of silence as the man rammed his face towards mine, his face looked flushed, reminiscent of a man who had spent too much of his youth and probably his later years drinking strong alcoholic drinks, and his curly mane of hair looked unwashed and greasy. It soon became apparent to me that the man was about to speak; an unusual experience as I longed to remain ignorant of his intentions. “Did anyone see you?” The man placed an abrupt stop to my trail of thought. It took a brief period of time for me to understand the individual words in his sentence. Before I could reply with a reasoned and well thought out answer, my trail of thought was interrupted once more as the man ignored his abrupt questioning and whispered, “It’s important that the living world can’t see you now, it can be confusing for them whether they understand it or not.”

A short burst of laughter exploded from within, the mention of the ‘living world’ being detached from me was too much. “Who are you?” I spluttered, unsure of how I wished the question to be received—was I asking for the name of the man, or was I really questioning who he thought he was and what he was doing? Fortunately the stranger did not take offence as he simply replied, “My name’s Jeremy Crowe, I used to live just up there on Cedar Street.” After a few minutes of him hopelessly attempting to convince me that I had met my end, he shoved a local newspaper in to my face.

It stood there, printed boldly in black and white, validation. He had told me to check a small article in the back of the paper. I did so in an almost comical fashion, faking a vague interest whilst all the while knowing the make-belief aspect of Jeremy’s story was soon to become obvious. I knew he would present me with such little evidence, perhaps a random name in the obituary section that could be anyone’s. I was not, however, expecting a picture, the same man stood in front of me telling me he was dead, was being presented in the local newspaper as the tragic victim of a drink driving accident… I needed further confirmation before I completely lost my mind; if the ‘living world’ could still respond to me, see me, even I knew I was alive. Before thinking things over, I avoided Jeremy’s grasp, violently rushing out of the dark alleyway into the crowded street. Jumping onto a nearby bench with Jeremy one step behind me I bellowed a loud, unrecognisable sound. The closure I needed was found as a short, elderly lady stopped in her tracks, pointed at Jeremy and barked, “You’re not bloody dead, he does this to everybody!”

From Manchester to Marrakech

Written by Josepha Griffin Parry on . Posted in Lifestyle.

As a post January exams treat to myself, I decided to get away from Manchester with a few friends and have a mini break in Marrakech. We stayed in a beautiful Riad in the heart of the Medina. The area was constantly filled with noisy street sellers, loud colours, vibrant people and strong smells, though not all of these were particularly pleasant.

The street sellers were continuously heckling us: “Fish and chips”, “Lady Gaga” and “Shakira” being the most popular comments. Although top originality marks (and my personal favourite) go to the guy who screamed, “I do not want to kiss you because you have Ebola!”, why they think that would make anyone stop and buy their products is beyond me. However, by day three we considered ourselves experts at negotiating our way around the bustling streets, and filled with confidence, we decided to brave the street food.

Each evening in the main square, tents, stalls and benches were constructed selling all sorts of local dishes. We finally decided upon braving a weird kind of egg and potato sandwich, which the Aussies in our Riad had assured us was delicious and cost the equivalent of 80p. Value for money was ideal and I would definitely recommend trying it, as the whole experience of sitting amongst the locals was rather amusing, although eating it once was probably enough!

Near our Riad there was a small stall selling fruit smoothies which always had a group of locals surrounding it. Presuming they must be pretty decent, I ordered a date and banana one, which didn’t disappoint. The plentiful stands selling orange juice were always a safe bet for a super cheap, delicious and nutritious drink costing a mere 40p.

Finally, after walking past numerous women selling what looked like a cross between a macaroon and a cookie my friend gave in to her sugar craving, buying a bag full of them. The sweet chewy biscuits were a favourite from that point onwards and we made several purchases, much to the confusion and surprise of the woman selling them, especially since we chose to only buy them from her.

I would definitely return to Marrakech; it was such a different kind of culture and was an amazing way to take a break from university and the North West.